Senator Ogbuoji mourns Ikedife, says he was rare Igbo leader

Senator Sonni Ogbuoji, the Ebonyi State APC gubernatorial candidate has said that the demise of elder statesman Igbo leader, Chief Dozie Ikedife is a painful loss particularly to the Igbo nation.

Ogbuoji said this in a statement from the media office of his campaign and challenged Nigerians and Nd’Igbo in particular that the best farewell Ikedife would get from the living is that they should emulate his forthright lifestyle.

The former presidential liaison officer for the old Anambra State under President Shehu Shagari died on Tuesday at 88in his hometown, Nnewi, Anambra State.

Ikedife who also served as the Ohanaeze Ndi’Igbo president general in the past was a prominent and outspoken Igbo leader.

Ogbuoji’s statement of condolence for Ikedife issued Thursday noted that the leader’s death was a great loss, but expressed appreciation to God for the worthy and long life Ikedife led and how his life was dedicated to service for mankind.

He said Ikedife is a kind of leader the Igbo world and Nigeria won’t have a replacement for due to his unassuming disposition and the lack of irrationality and haste that he said has made many elders shun the truth and values.

While he prayed that God grants Ikedife eternal rest, he also urged his immediate family and the Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo to continue in the light Ikedife showed and in the fight for liberation of the people he lived for.